The Good Governance Program is a NSW state wide learning and development program aimed at voluntary board members of small to medium not-for-profit boards and management committees of organisations that provide services funded by NSW Ageing Disability and Home Care (ADHC) to develop and embed good governance to build the systems's capacity and accountability. The program aims to coordinate the development of a learning and development strategy to support the implementation of ADHC's "Its Your Business" governance resource manual. The program and manual are one of several capacity building initiatives reflecting the Department’s ongoing commitment to developing a sustainable support system for people with a disability, older people and their carers.

The program is overseen by a Project Steering Group - senior representatives from relevant peak agencies: NDS NSW, NCOSS, ACS NSW, NSW Meals on Wheels, and ADHC. This group and their agencies assist with program design, sector communications and promotions, and provide expert knowledge and guidance on the key issues facing the DADHC funded service system.

"It's Your Business" Manual

The “It’s Your Business” governance resource manual was developed to enhance the capacity of senior managers and voluntary boards of management of small to medium sized non-government (ADHC funded) organisations to provide improved governance and ensure the sustainability of services which are funded by the Department. It’s Your Business represents an important statement of the Department's expectations of good governance and was distributed to all ADHC funded service providers in March 2009.

Board Assessments

In partnership with the Good Governance Program, the Australian Centre for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies (CPNS) located at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), is providing the opportunity to provide an overall assessment of team working. Each member of the board / management committee completes the online survey (this takes about 20 mins). The Board is then provided with a free assessment and report.

Targeted and Tailored Consultancy Support

The Good Governance program is also providing the opportunity for Boards to have access to specialist governance (subject matter) experts, drawn from panel of consultants that has been established solely for the purposes of this program.

Boards have the opportunity to identify any governance related issue(s) and work with a subject matter expert on a particular issue or cross cutting theme (e.g. succession planning, board evaluation, workforce development; explore an ‘It’s Your Business’ chapter content area; or work together as a team to develop a specific deliverable (e.g. marketing plan, fundraising plan, business strategy). The specific needs of the organisation will be matched to subject matter experts drawn from a panel of preferred consultancy providers.

Regional Forums

The program will also be providing a confidential networking and discussion forums for Board Members, CEO's and senior managers to discuss any governance related issues, share good practice, and identify areas for systemic development and support for themselves as a key stakeholder group. The format and frequency of these sessions will depend on levels of interest and preferences yet to be determined, but is likely to be a mix of facilitated general discussion and case study presentation, as a rolling program of short (e.g. 2 hour) sessions held in regional centres.

Registration of Interest

Interested organisations are requested to register their expression of interest here, so that regional planning and best use of resources can occur.

Succurro Corporate Services has been appointed to the panel of experts to provide corporate governance and risk management support to qualified organisations and to facilitate the networking sessions. If you would like to discuss any details of the program or how we can assist your organisation please contact us.